Digital copying machine that automasks data for small originals if a document feeder is present
US5987270A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/38
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Images of certain features of the copier itself (indicia, markings, operational components) are searched for, in a defined field of view used for copying. Any such images found, because they are not covered by a document being copied, are suppressed. This avoids the objectionable appearance of machine features from copies on full-size sheets of print medium, and deposition of ink on mechanisms of the copier itself. Preferably things in the field of view are imaged, and the image is parsed for the certain features--readily done by a software or firmware module or ASIC stage, easily incorporated into already-existing software, firmware or circuitry at minor unit cost. Preferably the copier features include document-size indicia, to aid determination by the copier whether a standard-size document is being copied, and thus whether suppression is in order. The search could be for operational machine features rather than special indicia, but those features may not be ideally positioned. Suppression may be of all machine features if the "certain" features are found. Preferably copying of shadows at edges of a document is also suppressed--an easy function to add to the primary operation de…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.